Interchangeable jewelry attachments

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable jewelry attachment having a head mount and a base. The base includes a center post extending upward. The head mount includes a center receptacle. The head mount further includes a plurality of prongs extending upward and configured to secure a jewel to the head mount. A pair of posts extend downward from the head mount. A pair of receptacles are defined on the base on either side of the center post. The pair of posts fit within the pair of receptacles and the center post fits within the center receptacle, releasably retaining the head mount to the base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/726,795, filed Oct.6, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jewelry and, more particularly, to an interchangeable jewelry attachment.

The manufacture of fine jewelry and costume jewelry involves the placement and connection of various parts. Jewelry commonly includes a base worn by the user and a head mount. A diamond or other stone is mounted to the head mount. Jewelry is generally offered to the customer as a finished piece. For example, engagement rings are sold as a shank (base) and head mount already fused together. Currently, customers are unable to view different combinations of heads and bases prior to purchasing the jewelry.

As can be seen, there is a need for a quick connect and disconnect of heads and bases of jewelry, to view the combination prior to selection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, an interchangeable jewelry attachment comprises: a base comprising a center post extending upward and a pair of receptacles defined on either side of the center post; a head mount comprising a center receptacle, a pair of posts extending downward from either side of the center receptacle, and a plurality of prongs extending upward and configured to secure a jewel to the head mount, wherein the pair of posts fit within the pair of receptacles, and the center post fits within the center receptacle.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method a pairing a head mount with of a ring comprises steps of: providing a shank comprising a center post extending upward and a pair of receptacles defined on either side of the center post; providing a first head mount comprising a center receptacle, a pair of posts extending downward from either side of the center receptacle, and a plurality of prongs extending upward and configured to secure a jewel to the head mount; releasably securing the first head mount to the shank by inserting the pair of posts into the pair of receptacles and inserting the center post into the center receptacle; and welding the first head mount to the shank.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section detail view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detail exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detail exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section detail view of the present invention taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a section detail view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a multifunctional fitting for attaching the parts of jewelry piece. Engagement rings typically include two parts: a head, which holds the center stone; and a shank, which fits around the finger and holds the head forming a finished ring. The present invention includes the bottom of the heads and the top of the shanks having universal fittings, so the heads and shanks can fit together to form an engagement ring. This fitting is secure, yet temporary so the customer can see how the combination looks as a finished ring. By offering many heads and shanks, in various styling options, customers can create their own specific engagement ring. Once they find a head and shank to their liking, the parts can be permanently affixed by soldering or welding, then polished, and sold. If desired, a user may cut off the head from the shank to replace the head.

An example of the present invention may include the following. At the top of the shank is a flat strip of metal (shank base) with a central post and two receptacles, one on each side of the central post in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. The 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of the shank base may be flat so a wedding ring may fit flush with the completed engagement ring.

The head mount includes a head base, a fitting (plurality of prongs) at the top of the head base to hold a center gem stone, a central opening and two posts on the bottom of the head base, one on each side of the central opening in the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions. The posts align with and fit inside the receptacles. The 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of the head base are flat so a wedding ring may fit flush with the completed engagement ring.

The central post of the shank base fits within the central opening of the head base, and the pair of posts of the head base fit within the pair of receptacles of the shank base, thereby releasably connecting the head mount to the shank. The posts disposed within the receptacles give the completed ring stability so it may be tried on by the customer without the head mount rocking, loosening or turning relative to the shank. The head and the shank can be easily separated by pulling the head off of the shank, allowing the customer to try different combinations of heads and shanks. When the desired combination is chosen, the head and shank are soldered or welded together, creating a finished engagement ring. The flat sides of the completed ring are flat so that a wedding ring fits flush against the engagement ring with no gaps in between.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention includes an interchangeable jewelry attachment having a head mount 20 and a base 10. The base 10 includes a center post 15 extending upward. The head mount 20 includes a center receptacle 18. The head mount 20 further includes a pair of prongs 28 extending upward and configured to secure a jewel to the head mount 20. A pair of posts 22 extend downward from the head mount 20. A pair of receptacles 16 are defined in the base 10 on either side of the center post 15. The pair of posts 22 fit within the pair of receptacles 16 and the center post 15 fits within the center receptacle 18, releasably retaining the head mount 20 to the base 10.

The type of jewelry may include, but is not limited to, rings, necklaces, ear rings, bracelets and the like. As illustrated in the Figures, the present invention may be used with rings. In such embodiments, the base 10 is part of a shank of the ring.

In certain embodiments, the center post 15 and the pair of posts 22 have a cylinder shape and the center receptacle 18 and the pair of receptacles 16 define the cylinder shape. The posts 15, 22 fit within the receptacles 18, 16 and prevent the head mount 20 and the base 10 from turning or wobbling. In certain embodiments, the center post 15 and the center receptacle 18 have a larger diameter than the pair of posts 22 and the pair of receptacles 16.

The base 10 includes a front surface and a rear surface. The head mount 20 also include a front surface and the rear surface. The front surface and the rear surface of the base 10 and the head mount 20 may each include a substantially flat surface. Further, when the base 10 and the head mount 20 are connected, the front surface of the base 10 and the front surface of the head mount 20 are planar, and the rear surface of the base 10 and the rear surface of the head mount 20 are planar.

The head mount 20 and the base 10 fit together snugly to give the desired effect of a completed engagement ring. The head mount 20 and the base 10 come apart easily, so other combinations of head mounts 20 and bases 10 can be attached.

A method a pairing a head mount with of a ring may include the following steps: providing a shank comprising a center post extending upward and a pair of receptacles defined on either side of the center post; providing a first head mount comprising a center receptacle, a pair of posts extending downward from either side of the center receptacle, and a plurality of prongs extending upward and configured to secure a jewel to the head mount; releasably securing the first head mount to the shank by inserting the pair of posts into the pair of receptacles and inserting the center post into the center receptacle; and welding the first head mount to the shank. The method may further include the following steps: removing the first head mount from the shank prior to the step of welding the first head mount to the shank; releasably securing a second head mount to the shank by inserting a pair of posts of the second head mount into the pair of receptacles and inserting the center post into a center receptacle of the second head mount; and welding the second head mount to the shank.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interchangeable jewelry attachment comprising: a base comprising a center post extending upward and a pair of receptacles defined on either side of the center post; a head mount comprising a center receptacle, a pair of posts extending downward from either side of the center receptacle, and a plurality of prongs extending upward and configured to secure a jewel to the head mount, wherein the pair of posts fit within the pair of receptacles, and the center post fits within the center receptacle.
 2. The interchangeable jewelry attachment of claim 1, wherein the base is a shank of a ring.
 3. The interchangeable jewelry attachment of claim 1, wherein the center post and the pair of posts are each a cylinder shape and the center receptacle and the pair of receptacles each define the cylinder shape.
 4. The interchangeable jewelry attachment of claim 1, wherein the center post and the center receptacle comprise a larger diameter than the pair of posts and the pair of receptacles.
 5. The interchangeable jewelry attachment of claim 1, wherein a front surface of the base and a front surface of the head mount are planar, and a rear surface of the base and a rear surface of the head mount are planar when the posts are disposed within the receptacles.
 6. A method a pairing a head mount with of a ring comprising steps of: providing a shank comprising a center post extending upward and a pair of receptacles defined on either side of the center post; providing a first head mount comprising a center receptacle, a pair of posts extending downward from either side of the center receptacle, and a plurality of prongs extending upward and configured to secure a jewel to the head mount; releasably securing the first head mount to the shank by inserting the pair of posts into the pair of receptacles and inserting the center post into the center receptacle; and welding the first head mount to the shank.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising steps of; removing the first head mount from the shank prior to the step of welding the first head mount to the shank; releasably securing a second head mount to the shank by inserting a pair of posts of the second head mount into the pair of receptacles and inserting the center post into a center receptacle of the second head mount; and welding the second head mount to the shank. 